Coolermaster CM Storm Quickfire TK Mechanical Keyboard

[MuZeVII]

Hello everyone,

I was thinking of picking up a CM Storm Quickfire TK with Cherry MX Blues (as soon as available in UK). I really like the following things:

- Even blue backlighting

- Mechanical Keyswitches

- Fn lock and Windows key disable

- Minimal branding

The only thing that has me concerned is the merging of the numpad and the home/del/arrow keys.

I would love to hear people's own experiences of the keyboard, and any other recommendations that you may have.

Thanks! :)

[Toby]

As far as I've been able to surmise, no one has any complaints compared to a tenkeyless layout, it's people who are used to a full-sized keyboard and often need to use the arrow keys and number pad concurrently that have issues with it.

As far as other recommendations, it depends what you're after. There's nothing similar to the TK in layout to my knowledge, but if you don't need the number pad there's a wealth of TKL options, while if you need the number pad but don't mind the size, there's a lot of full-size keyboards you might be interested in. If it's the combination of functionality and size you like about the TK however, there's not really any alternatives.

[MuZeVII]

Thanks Tony. Sorry, I should have mentioned that I need a number pad, which effectively rules out other TKL options. A compact size is not really a fundamental requirement. I guess I am just wondering if there are any keyboards out there that are like a full size version of the Quickfire TK, as I love all the features. I do not like all the branding rubbish on the other CM keyboards. Thanks :)

[Craig]

Hi MuZeVll,

Linus did an unboxing of the Coolermaster CM Storm Quickfire TK Mechanical Keyboard and from it it appears that the number pad area is controlled by the num lock, to be honest I am not a big fan of small keyboards with dual key functions as it is easy to turn it on and have random things happen to you when you type not notice it.

I got myself the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 keyboard, and I love it, it uses Cherry MX Blues and is Green Blacklite - not to everyones taste but you can turn the bightness up and down and off. The only complaint that I have seen about the Blackwidow Ultimate (UK Layout) is that the Left Hand side Shift key isnt big - but to be honest I really didnt notice it when gaming. The Pipe Command and Black Slash key is there so it doesnt really annoy me.

[MuZeVII]

Hi MuZeVll,

Linus did an unboxing of the Coolermaster CM Storm Quickfire TK Mechanical Keyboard and from it it appears that the number pad area is controlled by the num lock, to be honest I am not a big fan of small keyboards with dual key functions as it is easy to turn it on and have random things happen to you when you type not notice it.

I got myself the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 keyboard, and I love it, it uses Cherry MX Blues and is Green Blacklite - not to everyones taste but you can turn the bightness up and down and off. The only complaint that I have seen about the Blackwidow Ultimate (UK Layout) is that the Left Hand side Shift key isnt big - but to be honest I really didnt notice it when gaming. The Pipe Command and Black Slash key is there so it doesnt really annoy me.

Thanks for the suggestion Craig. I saw the unboxing of the keyboard (it was the first time I came across it!). I will also be using a UK layout and I think the problem you mention is one that plagues 90% of UK keyboards! Unfortunately, I have had unfortunate experiences with Razer products in the past, and I'm looking for a blue backlight. Thank you very much for the suggestion though!

[Dave :)]

I was about to suggest the Ducky Shine 2, has blue backlight, can come with full version, however i have yet to find one in ISO/UK layout. There are TKL version with the UK layout. If you're interested, here is a Ducky Shine II w/ Blue LED

[Toby]

Ah, so you're in the UK like me. Your options are slightly more limited in that case.

The most obvious, but more expensive option is a Ducky Shine II. There's also the Aivia Osmium, but that might be a little undignified for your tastes. The TK would probably be fine for you though, unless you have the aforementioned need to use arrow keys and keypad at the same time.

[Tama]

My friend has the quickfire tjk cherry mx blue, its amazing very good mechanical keyboard with really good lighting for a really good price, get it

[zapashark]

Thanks Tony. Sorry, I should have mentioned that I need a number pad, which effectively rules out other TKL options. A compact size is not really a fundamental requirement. I guess I am just wondering if there are any keyboards out there that are like a full size version of the Quickfire TK, as I love all the features. I do not like all the branding rubbish on the other CM keyboards. Thanks :)

if you are not space limited, you could just get a numb. pad and run it separately. it would allow you to have arrow and number keys at the same time.

[911^NEmeSis]

I'm really tempted on getting this kb but I'm not sure if I really buy the tenkeyless strange design.

[Confuzzled]

I feel like this keyboard is more for the enthusiast that travels a lot, where lugging around a full keyboard would be more cumbersome than this keyboard with its tenkeyless form factor.

Nevertheless, it looks amazing.

[Davey]

The blue switch variant will come to the UK this year, probably in the next 3 months. The success of the TK will determine the switch availability, but I know one retailer will be getting in stock as soon as they are available.

[Dave :)]

The blue switch variant will come to the UK this year' date=' probably in the next 3 months. The success of the TK will determine the switch availability, but I know one retailer will be getting in stock as soon as they are available.[/quote']

I assume it will be CCL considering they seem to be the primary retailer in the UK. They have quite a good variety of Ducky's too on their website at the moment.

[Toby]

I feel like this keyboard is more for the enthusiast that travels a lot' date=' where lugging around a full keyboard would be more cumbersome than this keyboard with its tenkeyless form factor. Nevertheless, it looks amazing.[/quote']

As MuZe said, it's a boon for those without much room or creating extra room for those that have it, but it also means you can have your keyboard further to the right, which is better positionally (the space between the letter keys and the mouse tends to mean your right arm loses out ergonomically one way or another, be it having to reach too far left to type with both hands, or reach too far right to control the mouse).

[Davey]

The blue switch variant will come to the UK this year, probably in the next 3 months. The success of the TK will determine the switch availability, but I know one retailer will be getting in stock as soon as they are available.

scan.co.uk by any chance? :)

OCUK, pre orders from scan can be very hit or miss.

[R3SISTOR]

I'm typing this reply on my QuickFire TK with Blues right now, I really love the space saving aspect of this keyboard. I used a logitech G11 for 5 years and finally got this keyboard for Christmas. On occasion I do miss having the full size dedicated number pad, but I think CoolerMaster has done a really great job of integrating them into one pad, I have gotten used to it. Standout features are as mentioned, the really nice build quality, the absolutely amazing blue back light keys and the small form factor. I would recommend this keyboard! :)

[MuZeVII]

I'm typing this reply on my QuickFire TK with Blues right now, I really love the space saving aspect of this keyboard. I used a logitech G11 for 5 years and finally got this keyboard for Christmas. On occasion I do miss having the full size dedicated number pad, but I think CoolerMaster has done a really great job of integrating them into one pad, I have gotten used to it. Standout features are as mentioned, the really nice build quality, the absolutely amazing blue back light keys and the small form factor. I would recommend this keyboard! :)

Thanks for your input, great to hear from somebody that is actually using one! :) I'm definitely going to pick one up, but they're not yet available in the UK. I could import one from America but it costs a fortune!

[MuZeVII]

I'm typing this reply on my QuickFire TK with Blues right now, I really love the space saving aspect of this keyboard. I used a logitech G11 for 5 years and finally got this keyboard for Christmas. On occasion I do miss having the full size dedicated number pad, but I think CoolerMaster has done a really great job of integrating them into one pad, I have gotten used to it. Standout features are as mentioned, the really nice build quality, the absolutely amazing blue back light keys and the small form factor. I would recommend this keyboard! :)

P.S. Just seen your signature, that keyboard looks EPIC in those pictures!

[Spud]

Hey guys, i am also in the UK looking to buy this keyboard, anyone manage to find out a rough date that it will go on sale? I e-mailed SCAN but the reply i got was of no use.

[MuZeVII]

Hey guys, i am also in the UK looking to buy this keyboard, anyone manage to find out a rough date that it will go on sale? I e-mailed SCAN but the reply i got was of no use.

Coincidentally, I just checked Scan today and they have implemented an ETA. They are due in on the 8th February. :D

[Purple]

The Quickfire TK is my first mechanical keyboard and I love it.

[mgsstar]

DecryptedTech said that in daily use it caused them trouble when they had to change it every time in order to switch from the num pad to the delete/home/arrow keys. If you are a person who likes using del/home/arrow keys, you might be frustrated if you use the num pad and the delete key when typing out a document.

Link to DecryptedTech Review: http://www.decryptedtech.com/enthusiast-peripherals/cmstorm-quickfire-tk-review-or-how-to-combine-two-products-to-make-one-great-one.html

[Zak32]

Just got mine yesterday, was my first mechanical keyboard and I absolutely love it, for me I always switch the numpad off and use the Up,down,left and right keys, I'm used to using the numbers above the keyboard, it's really an awesome keyboard and the backlit is really bright, happy with my purchase :D

Now I'm just wondering whether I can change the keycaps :\

[MuZeVII]

Just got mine yesterday, was my first mechanical keyboard and I absolutely love it, for me I always switch the numpad off and use the Up,down,left and right keys, I'm used to using the numbers above the keyboard, it's really an awesome keyboard and the backlit is really bright, happy with my purchase :D

Now I'm just wondering whether I can change the keycaps :\

Hi Zak, where are you based out of curiosity?

[Panda Bruv]

I'm typing with my tk with blues right now actually and it is the best keyboard I have ever used. The backspace on mine isn't as clicky as the rest of the keys and that's pretty much my only complaint about it besides the numbers on the number pad that don't light up when you want them to and do light up when you don't want them to light up. But, I've only had it for 2 days (I got it yesterday) but I've been typing as much as I can on it and I do notice a significant difference in how comfortable it is to type, but I don't personally notice that much of a speed increase right now. Maybe as I get used to it I'll get faster. I like it so much that in some games that I don't have to press keys as much I find myself alt+tabbing out just to be able to type on it because I love the sound so much.

EDIT: With one-handed typing I notice a HUGE decrease in accuracy and speed. I don't know why but with my old membrane I was really good at one-handed typing and now I'm not.